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Demolition begins on U.S. 301 buildings

A two-man crew began a demolition project this morning on five abandoned buildings at U.S. 301 and Laurel Street.

A front-end loader operator and his partner started their work by dismantling the rear of Sally’s mobile-home supply shop. They will move on to the other buildings, which include a former strip club and tire store.

The city now owns the 1.2 acres on which the buildings sit. It purchased them in August for $4.7 million. The county originally bought the land earlier this year under the agreement the city would reimburse the county.

Both governments were hoping to build a stadium there to attract the Red Sox. But after the team decided to stay in Fort Myers, the city was left with the land.

The city’s immediate plans call for the sodding of the land, which is adjacent to Payne Park. It currently has no long-term plans for the property.